Endothelial FoxM1 and Dab2 promotes diabetic wound healing

Bhattacharjee, Sudarshan, Jianing Gao, Yao Wei Lu, Shahram Eisa-Beygi, Hao Wu, Kathryn S Li, Amy E. Birsner, et al. 2024. “Endothelial FoxM1 and Dab2 Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing”. JCI Insight, (accepted, in press).

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus can cause impaired and delayed wound healing, leading to lower extremity amputations; however, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent angiogenesis remain unclear. In our study, the molecular underpinnings of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes are investigated, focusing on the roles of Disabled-2 (Dab2) and Forkhead Box M1 (FOXM1) in VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling and endothelial cell function. Bulk RNA-sequencing analysis identified significant downregulation of Dab2 in high glucose treated primary mouse skin endothelial cells. In diabetic mice with endothelial deficiency of Dab2, in vivo and in vitro angiogenesis and wound healing were reduced when compared with wild-type diabetic mice. Restoration of Dab2 expression by injected mRNA-containing LyP-1-conjugated lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) rescued impaired angiogenesis and wound healing in diabetic mice. Furthermore, FOXM1 was downregulated in skin endothelial cells under high glucose conditions as determined by RNA-sequencing analysis. FOXM1 was found to bind to the Dab2 promoter, regulating its expression and influencing VEGFR2 signaling. The FOXM1 inhibitor FDI-6 reduced Dab2 expression and phosphorylation of VEGFR2. Our study provides evidence of the crucial roles of Dab2 and FOXM1 in diabetic endothelial dysfunction and establishes targeted delivery as a promising treatment for diabetic vascular complications.

Last updated on 11/27/2024